Labour Protection Bill Under Discussion, DPR Highlights ‘Stay Working’ Concept

Zainul Munasichin, a member of Commission IX of the DPR RI and part of the Working Committee for the Labour Protection Bill, has revealed that discussions have entered Level I Deliberation between the DPR and the government. The discussions encompass worker protection, job creation, and ensuring certainty for the business world.

Zainpendu stated that Commission IX, alongside the government, has formed a Working Committee (Panja) to deliberate on the substance of the Labour Protection Bill. One of the approaches being discussed is a conceptual shift from “permanent work” to “staying employed”.

Through this approach, worker protection would not merely be directed towards the continuity of employment within a single company. Protection would also encompass support for workers when they lose their jobs, enabling them to re-enter the labour market.

According to Zainul, current labour market conditions mean that a “permanent work” approach alone is no longer sufficient. Therefore, the Bill’s discussions are directed towards ensuring that workers receive protection while employed, while also having support when they must leave their jobs.

“In this era, we can no longer rely solely on a permanent work approach. The DPR wants to ensure that as long as a worker is employed, all of their rights are fulfilled,” Zainul said in a written statement on Sunday, 27 September 2026.

He continued, noting that protection must also be provided when workers lose their jobs. The state is expected to play a role in providing support so that workers can re-enter the labour market.

“Meanwhile, when job loss occurs, the state provides a cushion so that the individual can re-enter the labour market,” Zainul added.

Previously, the Head of Labour Affairs at the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), Bob Azam, stated that revisions to labour regulations need to observe the principle of ‘flexicurity’—a balance between flexibility for the business world and protection for workers.

Bob assessed that labour regulations must consider the specific characteristics of each sector. According to him, the needs of the industrial, tourism, and plantation sectors, among others, may involve different working conditions.

The discussions regarding the Labour Protection Bill ultimately cover several aspects, ranging from the protection of workers’ rights to job creation and providing certainty for the business sector.